I know I've done a few blog posts on the language differences between the UK and the USA, and here's another!
Today's post is inspired by this morning's weather. And my stomach.
"I looked out my window this morning to see that it was absolutely pissing down. I knew that I would be wearing my wellies today, and was a little sad that I had forgotten to bring my brolly home. It was one of those chilly mornings where a bacon sarny would really hit the spot. Instead I settled for my usual yoghurt. My thoughts turned to lunch as I passed the chippy in Gloucester Road, and then I rounded off my thoughts on what the day's meals would be by considering this evening's tea."
Translation:
"I looked out my window this morning to see that it was absolutely raining cats and dogs. I knew that I would be wearing my rain boots today, and was a little sad that I had forgotten to bring my umbrella home. It was one of those chilly mornings where a bacon sandwich would really hit the spot. Instead I settled for my usual yogurt. My thoughts turned to lunch as I passed the fish and chip shop on Gloucester Road, and then I rounded off my thoughts on what the day's meals would be by considering this evening's supper."
So, to sum up today's lesson, words to do with rainy weather have endearing nicknames, I think so that the weather doesn't get you down. Actually, the food words have nicknames, too. I hope it's common knowledge that British spellings include more letters than American spellings. Yes, we are two countries divided by our common language. And yes, English is a complex, evolving language made of a composite of other older languages, showing its roots that come from abroad and using an alphabet that doesn't perfectly suit the language (pronounce 'dough', 'through' and 'enough'), but I'm still adjusting to the silent h in the word we all pronounce as 'yogurt'.
And finally tea=supper/dinner. I once told a friend I was later going to eat dinner with that I had bought tea. Let me tell you, when I arrived at his house and he asked what we were having for supper and I said I didn't know and he said that I should since I had bought it and I said I hadn't bought anything, confusion ensued. I had literally bought a box of English breakfast tea (I think that's black tea to many of us). I don't have an answer for why the meal that many people call supper is called tea by others. I'm open to suggestions.
Also, to those in Paris this weekend, here's a bit of "French" that should see you through to Sunday: "Puis-je s'il vous plaƮt ont 53 croissants?" and "Frankreich ist nicht so gut wie Deutschland. Wir sollen nach Berlin gefahren!"
-Claire
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Previous Posts
-
I've been wracking my brain since last week to think of what the next blog post should be about. Part of me thinks it should be about s...
-
Even now, though I'm no longer a student, seeing a reading list makes my pupils dilate. Just a little. I should grow out of that feeli...
-
There is something so intoxicating, so sensual, so tantalizing about the biscuit aisle at Tesco. Namely: McVitie’s HobNobs. With a tinn...
-
Bill Sheasgreen: Claire, I'm trying to write a book about London Center and its 40 years. Would you help me? Claire Mokrauer-Madden: ...
-
For everyone who was duped into thinking that Keith Moon really is having a blue plaque dedicated to him at 35 Harrington Gardens, here is a...
-
I think it's safe to say that I have managed to break my new year's resolutions already. My biscuit addiction is still going strong,...
-
As with any Ithaca College course, students fill out evaluations at the end of the term here. One of the most popular questions is, "D...
-
...is the most overwhelming place that I’ve ever been, but in the best way possible. I flew off to London with the goal of unders...
-
My right to live and work in the UK is based on my German citizenship . I'm also American , but for me to live and work here based on t...
-
Another entry from another Student blogger. This one is from Sarah Grant who talks about a trip to Abbey Road as part of the British Youth...
No comments:
Post a Comment